Garage system



Feb. 16, 1937. M. A. KENT 2,070,793

GARAGE SYSTEM Filed Jan. 16, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 M. A. KENT GARAGE SYSTEM Feb. 16, 1937.

Filed Jan. 16, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mw 0|.. .i

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NM. U .M .m mmm' M .Mwzhir 4: ...H :z: 1.... ll m E E w ORNEY Patented Feb. E6, 1937 PATENT ori-ice GARAGE SYSTEM Milton A. Kent, Larchmont, N. Y., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Electric Garages, Inc.

Application January 16, 1929, Serial No. 332,858

1 Claim.

This invention relates to systems and apparatus for parking motor cars in garage buildings, as generally disclosed in my pending application,

Serial No. 250,419, filed January 30, 1928; and the principal object of the present invention is to provide improved controlling means for more simpliled and eicient actuation of the parking cars employed in the system.

The present application is in part a continuation of Serial No. 177,258, filed March 22, 1927 and Serial No. 250,419, led January 30, 1928.

'This improved control means or mechanism,

as briefly described, consists in one or more controllers, located on the vehicle elevator, each controller corresponding to one parking car, and each having a single operating lever, or handle, arranged for to-and-fro movements in two principal directions (such as vertical and horizontal) whereby the coupling mechanism ofthe parking car is actuated to engage and release the motor vehicle, and the propulsive motor of the parking car is actuated to move the latter to and from the elevator and floor parking space, in any desired sequence.

In the prior application, above cited, the various operations of the lparking car are effected by separate push-buttons or switches, which require greater care and attention of the operator; and tend to slow down the parking movements, as compared with the present simplied, unitary control.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are further sufiiciently explained in connection with the following detailed description of the accompanying drawings, which shows one preferred embodiment. After considering this example, skilled persons will understand that many variations may be made, and I contemplate the employment of any structures that are properly within the scope of the appended claim.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of a portion of a garage building, suillcient -to generally explain the parking system, and showing controllers, ernbodying the invention in one form, installed in the elevator car.

Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram,

Fig. 3 is a top plan of a parking car and guideways. p

Fig. 4 is a side elevation' thereof.

As fully disclosed in the above mentioned application, and suillciently illustrated herein for purposes of the present invention, the garage includes a `vertical elevator Ill, of any preferred type, by means of which the vehicles can be (Cl. TBM-16.1)

moved from one floor to another. The elevator includes an operators stand II from which the vertical movements of the elevator can be controlled by any well-known or suitable means, not shown. 5 Associated with the elevator are one or more parking cars I2, which are self-propelled and adapted to engage a vehicle and move it horizontally to or from the elevator. Parking spaces are provided on both sides of the elevator, and 10 the parking cars can run oi either end of the elevator in handling a vehicle.

The details of the parking car are shown clearly in Figs. 3 and 4, and includes a frame I3 carrying a cross axle I4 near each end. Wheels I5 15 are keyed on the ends of axles I4, and these wheels are provided with tires I6 of rubber or any preferred material, and are driven from a reversible motor I'I through suitable gearing.

The parking car is provided with power-operated means for forming a towing connection with a vehicle. In the form illustrated this coupling means is particularly adapted to engage the differential of a motor vehicle, although obviously it could be arranged to engage any suitable part of any wheeled vehicle. 'I'he coupler disclosed comprises broadly a frame carrying cross members together with means for elevating the frame into engagement with the differential. The coupler frame I8 and cross members I9 are built up 30 of angle members, and the upper sides of cross members I9 carry wooden rails 20 covered with rubber as at 2l Obviously, any preferred method of covering the cross members I9 to protect the differential from injury could be used.

In the embodiment illustrated the front end of the frame I8 is pivoted at 22 to a guide frame 23, which in turn is pivoted at 24 to the front of the car frame I3. The elevating mechanism includes toggle devices 25 and 26 connected by a connect- 40 ing rod 2l, and operated by a pull rod 28. A yoke 29 connects the pull rod 28 to a nut 30 cooperating with a screw rotated through gearing by a reversible motor 32. The yoke 29 does not havea positive connection with the pull rod 28, but carries a block 33 sliding over the rod 28. Coiled springs 34 and 35 surround the rod 28 and engage the block 33, the outer end of each spring abutting against a stop secured to the rod 28.

When it is desired to engage the parking car with a motor vehicle, the parking car is moved to a position under the vehicle with the coupler frame I8 below the differential of the vehicle. The motor 32 is then operated to pull the nut 30 toward the motor, which movement is transmitted through the spring 35 to pull rod 28 and causes toggle devices 25 and 26- to simultaneously raise both ends of the coupler frame. Should the parking car be in such a position that as the coupler frame is raised the differential is engaged on its front and rear surfaces by the cross members of the frame, an effective towing connecting with the differential is formed. Due to the transmission of the elevating force through spring 35,

the cross members are resiliently pressed against the differential, preventing injury to the diierential and holding the cross members firmly in engagement with the diierential even if the differential should move vertically relative to the parking car during the towing operation. By simultaneously elevating both ends of the coupler frame, the frame is held in substantial horizontal position when engaging the differential, so that the diilerential is rmly gripped for movement of the vehicle either forward or backward. If upon initially raising the coupler frame, a single cross member should engage with the lowest point of the diierential, then upon towing movement of the car the differential would slip off this single cross member, and the spring 35 would further elevate the coupler frame to engage the differential in the manner illustrated in Fig. 4. The spring 34 cushions the return movement of the elevating mechanism.

The invention contemplates the provision of means for guiding the parking car in its towing movements, and this may be done by a track composed of two L-shaped track members 36, disposed on top of the iioor with their horizontal branches projecting toward each other, as shown in Fig. 3. These inwardly projecting branches provide tracks upon which the wheels I5 of the parking car roll, thereby removing wear from the garage iioor, and each side of the parking car carries one or more horizontal guide wheels 31 engaging the vertical branches of the track members. These track members are spaced such a distance apart that the outer surface of their vertical branches cooperate with the inner sides of the tires to guide the motor vehicle should the wheels of the vehicle not be set to run exactly parallel to the track of the parking car. 'I'he arrangement thus provides for three distinct uses for the track members 36, and makes for economy of construction and operation.

The tracks 36 are laid on the elevator and on the garage floors in alinement with the elevator tracks, as will be clear from Fig. 1. The elevator may be furnished with one or more of the parking cars according to the circumstances. Two parking cars are here shown.

I'he elevator has any usual or suitable hoisting mechanism, and controller, (not shown) for effecting vertical movements of the elevator.

In the elevator, Fig. 1, and preferably located on a wall of the conductors stand, or alcove II, are control boxes 50, one for each parking car; details of these controllers are given hereafter. From each controller a cable runs through suitable conduits, such as 5I, and also through takeup mechanism 52, to the corresponding parking car. The cable 39 carries all necessary wires (as will be understood from the circuit diagram and later explanation) togetherwith wires for a lamp or any other electrical devices to be carried by the parking car, and suitable connections are provided for supplying current to the controller.

The cable 39 passes over a series of sheaves 44 attached to the elevator, and a cooperating series of weighted sheaves 45 suspended by the cable.

This arrangement provides for a simple and emclent method of taking up and paying out the cable 39.

A detachable connector 46 (Fig. 3) permits the disconnection of adisabled parking car and its expeditious replacement by a spare car.

The circuit diagramjig. 2, shows line conductors and 86, of which 86 is connected through binding post 68 and lead 61, above mentioned, to lever contact 64. The other line conductor 85 goes to a suitable point of the Winding of both of the motors I1 and 32, as diagramatically illustrated. From contact 16 a lead 81 goes to one point of the winding of the motor I1 and from contact 11 another lead 88 goes to another point of that winding, providing for operation of the motor in either direction; and contacts 18 and 19 are connected to the winding of motor 32 in a similar way, by leads 89 and 90. All of the leads, except the line wire 86, may go through the extensible cable 39, as above referred to.

Thus, bythe manipulation of the lever 62 to right or left in a horizontal direction the circuit is closed through motor I1 to propel the parking car in either direction, and by moving the lever vate` or depress thetowing frame I8.

When a motorfcar has been driven on to the receiving platform of the garage and-left in a.

position aligned with a track th elevator is brought to the level of that floor. The operator then moves lever handle 62 in the proper horizontal direction, causing the parking carto be moved from the elevator until it is in proper position under the motor vehicle, whereupon the lever is moved back into neutral position; he then moves the lever vertically to cause the proper circuit connection to motor 32, as above detailed, whereby the towing frame is elevated into engagement with the differential of the motor vehicle. 'I'he lever is then returned to neutral and moved horizontally in a direction to cause the propelling notor of the parking car to propel it, with the motor vehicle, back upon the elevator, and the lever is then returned to neutral. The elevator is now operated to a floor having a vacant parking space, and by suitable movement of the control handle 62 the automobile is towed to the parking space, the towing frame released from it, and the parking car returned to the elevator. Automobiles are moved from any of the parking spaces to the elevator and again discharged therefrom at the ground iioor in a manner which will be obvious from the preceding explanation, all by the manipulation of a single controlling handle, and in a safe and expeditious manner because of the lever-guide means, which practically prevents improper lever movements.

I claim:

A vehicle parking system comprising an elevator adapted to carry two vehicles, two wheeled parking cars associated with the elevator, each parking car being adapted to run under a vehicle in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, each parking car having coupling means for forming a towing engagement between the parking car and the vehicle, each parking car having driving. means for propelling the parking car, and two control members mounted on the elevator, in positions spaced horizontally from each other, each control member being arranged to control the coupling means and the driving means for one of the parking cars.

MILTON A. KENT. 

